Mukhriz unaware 1MDB funds given to Kedah Umno

Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir said he was unaware about 1MDB funds being channelled to Kedah Umno when he was the party's state liaison chairperson.

He said matters concerning the party's funds were handled by Umno's state treasurer Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim who also managed the expenditure and disbursement to Umno divisions statewide.

“When I was state Umno chairperson, there were requirements for funds by the divisions but I left the matter to the treasurer. I do not know his approach but the funds were used by the divisions for mobilisation activities.

“I don't know what happens after that but the funds did not involve any project, contract or other things,” he told reporters after launching the state-level National Youth Day in Alor Setar today.

He was asked to comment on the civil forfeiture suit filed by the MACC against 41 respondents to recover RM270 million linked to 1MDB.

MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya in a statement yesterday said the suit was filed under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

MACC believed the sum was transferred from the bank account of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The 41 respondents were political parties including Umno, Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sabah and MCA, foundations and companies as well as Persatuan Kebajikan Islam and Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Pekida).

Mukhriz who is Bersatu deputy president said if Umno had acquired the funds illicitly, then the party should return them.

Mukhriz was state Umno liaison chairperson from March 2013 until February 2016 when he resigned after stepping down as Kedah menteri besar following a vote of no-confidence in the state legislative assembly. - Bernama